Narendra Singh

How and when did you first become involved in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement?

My first role was as shelter project team leader for the Canadian Red Cross in Indonesia in 2008. I was based in Nias where the team was overseeing the construction of 2,100 shelters for earthquake-affected communities.

What is your role in Myanmar?

I first came to Myanmar in 2009 after Cyclone Nargis to work as an IFRC shelter delegate. I came back in 2012 to begin my current role as an IFRC water and sanitation delegate. The main part of my role has been to oversee the creation of a dedicated water and sanitation unit within the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRC). Working closely with MRCS colleagues, we have developed a strategy for 2012 to 2015 which focuses on increasing emergency response capacity while also supporting longer-term development projects. This is working well. The MRCS is supporting a number of large-scale community based water and sanitation programmes while also responding to emergencies as seen during Cyclone Giri and more recently in Rakhine. We are also looking at branch development and income generation to support local long-term water and sanitation objectives.

What are your hopes for the future?

The MRCS has really progressed and developed since the Nargis operation and is now a much stronger National Society with better infrastructure, emergency stocks and overall capacity. I hope this progression continues in the coming months and years. In terms of the country, we are definitely seeing more opportunities open up now. I think there will be greater investment and hopefully more job opportunities. I would like to see these opportunities open up to all people in Myanmar, particularly those in need and the most vulnerable.